ProSiebenSat.1 names MFE’s Marco Giordani as CEO amid leadership overhaul

Germany’s ProSiebenSat.1 Media has made significant changes to its executive board, with Marco Giordani succeeding Bert Habets as CEO, Bob Rajan being appointed interim chief financial officer and Markus Breitenecker stepping down as chief operating officer.

Marco Giordani

The supervisory board decided the changes today, positioning them as moves to accelerate the German broadcaster’s strategic transformation. The moves come soon after the German company’s takeover by Italian media giant MediaForEurope (MFE) last month.

Giordani, currently chief financial officer of MFE, assumes the CEO role with immediate effect. Habets will take on a senior advisory role, focusing on ensuring a seamless transition period until the end of the year.

Giordani has served as CFO of MFE since 2000. Prior to that, he held senior leadership positions within the Italian group and worked in the media and retail sectors. Rajan, meanwhile, is MD at New York-based consulting firm Alvarez & Marsal,

Rajan will join ProSiebenSat.1 as CFO with immediate effect on an interim basis, primarily to drive forward the reorganisation process and enhance the company’s profitability. He succeeds Martin Mildner, who will leave the company by mutual consent. Breitenecker has decided to step down from his role with immediate effect, also by mutual consent, and will not be replaced.

“We warmly welcome Marco Giordani as CEO of ProSiebenSat.1. His appointment reflects the ambition to further accelerate the strategic transformation with a clear focus on excellence and a leading market position in entertainment,” said Maria Kyriacou, chair of the supervisory board of ProSiebenSat.1 Media.

“Marco brings deep operational expertise, strong financial acumen, a proven track record in leading complex organisations and will fully focus on ProSiebenSat.1 going forward. We also welcome Bob Rajan as new CFO. His experience in transformation and restructuring will be instrumental in enabling ProSiebenSat.1 to fully focus on growth in the future.”

Former ITV Studios CEO Kyriacou also expressed “sincere gratitude” to Habets for his leadership and strong commitment during what she described as “a decisive transformative period” for ProSiebenSat.1. “Thanks to his decisive leadership, Joyn is now at the heart of our vision to become the leading AVoD streamer in the German-speaking region.” She also offered particular thanks to Breitenecker for his 30-year commitment to the company.